Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Slow breathing at the Li-bra-ry coffee shop in Bangkok...

For me it starts with amazing chairs and the rest follows suit in terms of a well styled interior. In the case of the Li-bra-ry coffee shop in Bangkok, the tasteful Scandinavian-esque interior extends into excellent food, and some very creative and delicious menu offerings (see my waffle pic). And tralaaaa, Li-bra-ry scoops the LPCS (Lateral Paul Coffee Snob) gold medal as our Number One coffee destination in BK.

Walking through the tall wooden swing door at Li-bra-ry feels good- it's calm, quiet...a place for slow breathing where you leave your stress at the door with your shoes. The wooden floor is cool underfoot as you tread softly (it's a library after all) over to one of the beautiful mustard yellow chairs or soft sofas to settle in for a spot of blogging, a mag read, a flip through one of the cook books on the shelves, or a bit of a day dream over a latte in a bowl. Yes, you heard right, a bowl. All this while Sinatra and a bit of 50's music plays unobtrusively in the background to add to the mellow mood.Li-bra-ry had the same effect on me as Vanilla Garden in Ekamai did when I first walked in...a soothing space in the madness that is Bangkok, a city to which I'm now addicted, thanks to Lateral Paul.Oh, if your kids are unruly and used to tearing around the place, rather don't take them. The place is sophisticated - not ideal for busy, noisy smallies...it attracts, amongst others, quite a well heeled set of people who (noted both times I was there) pull up in posh cars seeking respite from the city bustle. What I really want to know is who conceptualised and designed this place...whomever you are, take a bow. See you soon in March...(Directions follow after the last pic)

Follow the arrow...

Looking in...

You can order teas, coffees and juices from the board or go larger and select your hearts desire from a separate menu..starters, mains, desserts...really, really good food..

Chairs...

Loved the lights...

Style...a touch of Scandinavia perhaps?

Books for squizzing...it's a library of sorts after all...

Again, chairs....

Looking through a book shelf to the sofa side....

Floor art...

A delish latte....

Surely a world first in waffle design...it's called a pandan waffle FYI, eaten plain and of Vietnamese origin...

Boiled egg for breakfast...the bread soldiers deserve a mention...sweet and a savoury

Another beautiful light shade...

A lovely line up of those fab chairs...take me to your chair leader (ok, cheesy and only funny for me..)

On the patio..

The famous orange yoghurt drink...I always go back for more...

The Li-bra-ry is open daily from 8am - 9pm - Sukhamvit 24.Take the BTS to Phrom Pong, walk about 500m or 5 minutes down into Soi 24 and turn right into Soi Metheenivet. Li-bra-ry will be on your right, most likely with a red Ducatimonster parked outside. Enjoy!